Debbie Laskey's Blog: SPRING LEADERSHIP SERIES 2025

Last year, I launched a Spring Leadership Series to think about leadership in nontraditional ways. As 2024 continued, I presented additional ways to think about leadership during my Olympics Leadership Series and Holiday Leadership Series. With a new year upon us, I've invited 25 thought leaders to share their responses to five questions relating to team-building, reading, and leadership. My #SpringLeadershipSeries2025 began the first day of Spring and continues through June 20th, the first day of Summer.

Before we begin, I'd like to applaud two special individuals for providing the inspiration for this series. First, big applause goes to Erika Andersen, a leadership expert and author who I've had the pleasure of knowing for nearly 15 years, and she's appeared on my blog 13 times since 2011. She wrote an article for Forbes entitled, "How Springtime Can Make Us Better Leaders," and that article serves as the core of the series as its first question. Second, I also applaud Joseph Lalonde, a leadership expert and author of a book called REEL LEADERSHIP, for planting the seeds for last year's Spring Leadership Series on my blog. After I read Joe's book, I started looking at movies as well as works of fiction, TV shows, and TV characters with "leadership-tinted glasses."

For today's post, I'd like to introduce Eric Stone, based in New York. Eric is a dynamic leader whose passion for business fueled a remarkable 26-year career at Enterprise Holdings, where he rose to become one of the most celebrated Regional Vice Presidents in the company's history. Leveraging his expertise in cultivating high-performance cultures, Eric authored the award-winning book Jumpstart Your Workplace Culture, which has inspired leaders around the world. As an international speaker, Eric captivates audiences with practical strategies and real-world insights, empowering organizations to drive engagement and achieve exceptional results. Through his company, Clear Path Ventures, he provides hands-on consulting to help leaders and teams develop tailored engagement strategies that foster transformation and measurable growth.

QUESTION: Leadership expert and author Erika Andersen wrote an article for Forbes entitled, "How Springtime Can Make Us Better Leaders." In the article, Erika compared gardening to management and leadership. What are your thoughts, or was there something that stood out from the article?

ERIC STONE: Erika Andersen's article provides a creative metaphor for both management and leadership by comparing them to gardening; both require patience, care, and the right conditions to grow something strong and lasting. What stood out most to me was the idea that leaders and managers, like gardeners, can't force growth but can create the conditions where people thrive. Just as some plants thrive in different conditions, whether indoors, outdoors, or in specific seasons, they must balance trust, accountability, and clear communication to cultivate a high-performing culture. It's a refreshing reminder that leadership and management aren't about control; they're about nurturing potential and adapting to what each season brings.

SHARE THIS: Leaders and managers must recognize and adapt to the unique needs of their teams. ~@ericdstone1 #SpringLeadershipSeries2025 #DebbieLaskeysBlog

QUESTION: What was the most recent example of inspiring leadership that made an impact on you?

ERIC STONE: Someone who has continued to inspire me to be a better person and has deeply impacted how I approach leadership both in business and in my personal life is Warren Buffett. In a world where so many feel the need to be the loudest person in the room or race to keep up with the "Joneses," Warren has stayed remarkably grounded. If you ever had the chance to sit next to Warren at a restaurant or bar and strike up a conversation, you'd be hard-pressed to realize the incredible influence he's had on the world. Despite his immense wealth and success, he wouldn't boast about it. He's not one to flaunt his accomplishments or demand attention; his humility speaks volumes.

Warren's life and career have exemplified the power of patience, integrity, and long-term thinking. His approach to business is built on enduring values, choosing steady growth over instant gratification. He's led with a consistent belief in doing the right thing, even when no one is watching. His simple lifestyle, despite his monumental achievements, showcases his commitment to character over materialism.

Beyond his business acumen, Warren's dedication to giving back is unparalleled. He's pledged to donate the majority of his fortune, and through his Giving Pledge, he's inspired countless others to rethink their role in making the world a better place. Warren Buffett's leadership is a powerful reminder that success isn't measured by wealth, but by the integrity with which you lead, the lives you touch, and the legacy you leave behind.

QUESTION: What is your favorite team-building activity, and why?

ERIC STONE: One of my favorite team-building activities was a company-wide scavenger hunt that mixed management and department heads into random teams. Each team of five-to-seven had to tackle several unique challenges; from solving riddles to convincing a stranger to play tic-tac-toe and win before moving on. We even had the teams come up with a 30-second commercial that had to include five random and obscure words, sparking creativity and plenty of laughs. To keep things engaging, a different person had to step up as the leader for each challenge; this gave everyone a chance to showcase their approach. The first team to complete all tasks won a gift card, but the real prize was the camaraderie built along the way. At the end, each team shared what they learned about their teammates, often uncovering surprising strengths and new connections. While winning was certainly the goal, it truly allowed us to break down silos, embrace different leadership styles, and create an atmosphere where collaboration and fun went hand-in-hand.

QUESTION: Which book is on the top of your to-be-read pile, and why?

ERIC STONE: Growing up, I was always fascinated with leadership, whether in business or sports. Watching the UConn Huskies win back-to-back championships and now chase a historic threepeat reminds me of the relentless pursuit of excellence that defines both elite teams and top-performing organizations.

Just like today's workplace is evolving with five generations, the ongoing debate over in-person, remote, and hybrid work, and AI-driven transformations, college basketball is facing its own seismic shifts with the transfer portal, athletes profiting from their name, image, and likeness (NIL), and changing athlete expectations.

This is why I'm excited to read Never Stop by Dan Hurley and Ian O'Connor. Hurley's ability to build a championship culture in the midst of constant change is something every leader can learn from. His personal journey, from overcoming mental health struggles to forging his own legacy, adds another layer of depth. Leadership isn't just about X's and O's; it's about resilience, adaptability, and inspiring others to reach their potential. I am looking forward to learning how Hurley's leadership principles translate beyond basketball.

QUESTION: In the past year, has a TV show, film, or work of fiction stood out as a result of its emphasis on leadership?

ERIC STONE: Ted Lasso really stands out for me with his leadership style. Have you ever watched someone handle a challenging situation so well that it inspires you to be better? Whether it's navigating a tough conversation with an employee or teammate, or presenting to senior leadership, you walk away thinking, I wish I could communicate like that. That's the kind of leader Ted Lasso embodies; someone who connects with both the head and the heart. While he's a bit quirky at times, he proves that you can lead with high character without sacrificing high standards. He balances optimism with accountability, making people feel valued while pushing them to be their best. His ability to build trust, transform team culture, and inspire loyalty is something every leader can learn from. Just like some companies rally around slogans like Just Do It or Play Like a Champion, Ted's guiding principle is simple but powerful: Believe.

My gratitude to Eric for sharing his leadership insights and for being a part of my #SpringLeadershipSeries2025. Did these questions open your eyes to think about leadership in nontraditional ways? That was the hope!

Image Credit: Shutterstock.

Read Erika Andersen's article, "How Springtime Can Make Us Better Leaders"

https://www.forbes.com/sites/erikaandersen/2015/05/14/how-springtime-can-make-us-better-leaders/

Read Eric's previous appearances here on my blog:

Tips to Celebrate #NationalLeadershipDay! (February 2025)

https://www.debbielaskeysblog.com/2025/02/tips-to-celebrate-nationalleadershipday.html

Review of JUMPSTART YOUR WORKPLACE CULTURE (July 2024)

https://www.debbielaskeysblog.com/2024/07/review-of-jumpstart-your-workplace.html

Check out Never Stop (publication date: September 2025):

https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Never-Stop/Dan-Hurley/9781668095744

Connect with Eric at these links:

Website: https://www.ericdstone.com/